A former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, is reportedly set to formally align with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following weeks of political consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A senior official of the ADC in Abuja disclosed to Sunday PUNCH that Obi has concluded arrangements to join the party and is expected to make a formal declaration at a rally scheduled to hold in Enugu, widely regarded as the political capital of the South-East, on December 31.
According to the source, mobilisation efforts by Obi’s supporters and loyalists are already underway in preparation for the anticipated defection.
The party official revealed that Obi’s decision followed renewed engagements with the ADC leadership after the party, about three weeks ago, urged him to clarify his political intentions.
The source added that Obi subsequently met with the party’s National Chairman, David Mark, in what was described as a move to reaffirm commitment to the emerging coalition.
“The party’s clear position and internal stability may have influenced his final decision,” the source said, noting that the ADC’s response to earlier comments attributed to Obi about the party’s stability played a role in pushing discussions forward.
On December 7, the ADC had publicly reacted to a statement credited to Obi in which he allegedly described the party as unstable, urging the former Anambra State governor to make up his mind on whether he intended to join the coalition or not.
Confirming the ongoing preparations, the party source stated, “We are aware that Peter Obi is planning to declare for the ADC on December 31 in Enugu. Although there has been no formal notification yet, the arrangements are real and progressing.”
Explaining why the planned declaration would take place in Enugu rather than Anambra State, Obi’s home state, the official said the choice was symbolic.
“Enugu is the political capital of the South-East. Obi is projecting himself as a representative of the entire region, not just his state, and that likely informed the decision,” he said.
However, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, cautioned that there was no official confirmation of Obi’s defection at this stage. “There has been no formal announcement. What we have are ongoing consultations,” he said.
Similarly, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, declined to comment on the matter, insisting that only Peter Obi himself could officially address any decision regarding his political future.
Meanwhile, the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party has played down reports of Obi’s planned defection. Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, the LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said the party would withhold any definitive position until Obi personally made his intentions known.
“We cannot fully comment until we hear directly from Obi,” Ifoh said. “In Nigerian politics, people move from one party to another. Labour Party does not see this as a major issue.”
Ifoh added that if Obi eventually leaves the party, such a decision would be driven by personal ambition rather than any failure on the part of the Labour Party, stressing that the party would continue to grow and remain relevant.
While noting that the party harboured no ill feelings toward the former presidential candidate, the LP spokesman said it would have been preferable for Obi to remain and resolve any outstanding differences internally.
“The wisest option would be for him to stay and work with the party that gave him the platform and nationwide reach he enjoyed in 2023,” he said. “He should reconcile with the leadership and move forward. But if he chooses to move on, we wish him well.”
In a related development, the ADC has announced plans to hold its national convention in mid-2026 as part of efforts to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. Abdullahi disclosed that the party is currently prioritising nationwide mobilisation, membership expansion and internal consolidation.
According to him, ongoing membership registration would form the backbone of future congresses and conventions, adding that 2026 would be a decisive year for the party as preparations for the selection of its presidential candidate gather momentum.
“By June or July at the latest, we must have a presidential candidate. That alone will significantly alter the political dynamics and energise activities within the party,” Abdullahi said.
He explained that the apparent calm within the party should not be mistaken for a lack of readiness, noting that political activities typically intensify as election seasons draw closer.
Abdullahi further revealed that the ADC plans to hold two conventions in 2026. “The first will ratify decisions taken by the National Executive Committee this year, while the second will focus on choosing our presidential candidate.
The latter will likely take place around the middle of the year, although no specific dates have been fixed,” he said.
Credit: Punchng
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